INSCT Students Participate in the National Security Crisis Simulation

On March 27 and 28, 2015, law and public policy students from 12 national security programs gathered at Georgetown Law in Washington, DC, to navigate a chaotic series of national and homeland security crises from the perspective of a member of the US National Security Council (NSC).

This simulation—now in its second year as an invitational event—is the equivalent of a traditional moot court competition, specifically tailored to the practice of national security law in the US government’s Executive Branch. Its purpose is to develop students’ traditional law school skills, as well as skills not necessarily taught in law school. Judges will evaluate students on their understanding of legal authorities and processes; handling of chaos and uncertainty; problem-solving abilities; communications strategies and effectiveness; and integrity and good judgment. In addition, this innovative exercise will enable students to get to know their peers and to forge relationships with national security practitioners from Washington, DC.

INSCT sponsored a four-person team under the guidance of Director William C. Banks. SU’s team was comprised of three SU College of Law students and one Maxwell School graduate student. Team members played senior roles associated with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the HHS Secretary and the secretary’s General Counsel.

Members of other teams played similar roles found in these Executive Branch NSC agencies: the Central Intelligence Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, Department of State, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence.